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As we continue to evolve the field of AI, a new branch that has been accelerating recently is Agentic AI. Multiple definitions are circulating, but essentially, Agentic AI involves one or more AI systems working together to accomplish a task using tools in an unsupervised fashion. A basic example of this is tasking an AI Agent with finding entertainment events I could attend during summer and emailing the options to my family.
Agentic AI requires a few building blocks, and while there are many variants and technical opinions on how to build, the basic implementation typically includes a Reasoning LLM (Large Language Model) – like the ones behind ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini – that can invoke tools, such as an application or function to perform a task and return results. A tool can be as simple as a function that returns the weather, or as complex as a browser commanding tool that can navigate through websites.
While this technology has a lot of potential to augment human productivity, it also comes with a set of challenges, many of which haven’t been fully considered by the technologists working on such systems. In the cybersecurity industry, one of the core principles we all live by is implementing “security by design”, instead of security being an afterthought. It is under this principle that we explore the security implications (and threats) around Agentic AI, with the goal of bringing awareness to both consumers and creators:
With the proliferation of Agentic AI, we will see both opportunities to make our life better as well as new threats from bad actors exploiting the same technology for their gain, by either intercepting and poisoning legitimate users AI Agents, or using Agentic AI to perpetuate attacks. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant, exercise caution and leverage comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to live safely in our digital world.
The post Navigating cybersecurity challenges in the early days of Agentic AI appeared first on McAfee Blog.
We use our smartphones for everything under the sun, from work-related communication to online shopping, banking transactions, and social media. For this reason, our phones store a lot of personal data, including contacts, account details, and bank account logins.
High online usage also makes your devices vulnerable to viruses, a type of malware that replicate themselves and spread throughout the entire system. They can affect your phone’s performance or, worse, compromise your sensitive information so that hackers can benefit monetarily.
In this article, we will give you a rundown of viruses that can infect your phone and how you can identify and eliminate them. We will also provide some tips for protecting your phone from viruses in the first place.
iPhones and Android devices run on different operating systems, hence differences in how they resist viruses and how these affect each system.
While iOS hacks can still happen, Apple’s operating system is reputed to be highly resistant from viruses because of its design. By restricting interactions between apps, Apple’s operating system limits the movement of a virus across the device. However, if you jailbreak your iPhone or iPad to unlock other capabilities or install third-party apps, then the security restrictions set by Apple’s OS won’t work. This exposes your iPhone and you to vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
Android phones, while also designed with cybersecurity in mind, rely on open-source code, making them an easier target for hackers. Additionally, giving users the capability to install third-party apps from alternative app stores such as the Amazon or Samsung Galaxy app stores makes Android devices open to viruses.
Cybercriminals today are sophisticated and can launch a variety of cyberattacks on your smartphone. Some viruses that can infect your phone include:
Ultimately, contracting a virus on your phone or computer comes down to your browsing and downloading habits. These are the most common ways it could happen:
Now that you know how your phone could be infected by a virus, look out for these seven signs that occur when malicious software is present:
Most pop-up ads don’t carry viruses but are only used as marketing tools. However, if you find yourself closing pop-up ads more often than usual, it might indicate a virus on your phone. These ads might be coming from apps in your library that you didn’t install. In this case, uninstall them immediately as they tend to carry malware that’s activated when the app is opened or used.
When you accidentally download apps that contain malware, your device has to work harder to continue functioning. Since your phone isn’t built to support malware, there is a good chance it will overheat.
If your contacts receive unsolicited scam emails or messages on social media from your account, especially those containing suspicious links, a virus may have accessed your contact list. It’s best to let all the recipients know that your phone has been hacked so that they don’t download any malware themselves or forward those links to anybody else.
An unusually slow-performing device is a hint of suspicious activity on your phone. The device may be slowing down because it is working harder to support the downloaded virus. Alternatively, unfamiliar apps might be taking up storage space and running background tasks, causing your phone to run slower.
Are you finding credit card transactions in your banking statements that you don’t recognize? It could be an unfamiliar app or malware making purchases through your account without your knowledge.
A sudden rise in your data usage or phone bill can be suspicious. A virus might be running background processes or using your internet connection to transfer data out of your device for malicious purposes.
An unusually quick battery drain may also cause concern. Your phone will be trying to meet the energy requirements of the virus, so this problem is likely to persist for as long as the virus is on the device.
You may have an inkling that a virus resides in your phone, but the only way to be sure is to check. An easy way to do this is by downloading a trustworthy antivirus app that will prevent suspicious apps from attaching themselves to your phone and secures any public connections you might be using.
Another way to check your phone is to follow these step-by-step processes, depending on the type of phone you use:
Once you have determined that a virus is present on your iPhone or Android device, there are several things you can do.
Caring for your phone is a vital practice to protect your information. Follow these tips to stay safe online and help reduce the risk of your phone getting a virus.
You have come to heavily rely on your smartphones for many online activities and storage of much of your personal data, including contacts, account details, and bank account logins. This puts your devices at high risk of being infected by viruses that impact not just your phone’s performance but also of being compromised by cybercriminals.
To help you protect your device and personal information, the award-winning McAfee Mobile Security solution regularly scans for threats transmitted through suspicious links in text messages, emails or downloads, and blocks them in real time. McAfee Mobile Security is a reputable security application that filters risky emails and phishing attempts so your inbox stays secure, while providing a secure virtual private network. It is also capable of spotting deepfake videos so you can stay ahead of misinformation. With McAfee, you can rest easy knowing your mobile phone is protected from the latest cyberthreats.
The post 7 Signs Your Phone Has a Virus and What You Can Do appeared first on McAfee Blog.
The modern family juggling act has never been more complex—or more dangerous. If you’re caring for aging parents while raising children, you’re part of what researchers call the “Sandwich Generation.” According to Pew Research, nearly half (47%) of adults in their 40s and 50s find themselves wedged between these dual responsibilities. But in today’s digital landscape, this demographic faces a uniquely modern threat: becoming the primary target of an unprecedented scam epidemic.
As a cybersecurity professional who has witnessed the evolution of online threats over two decades, I can tell you that today’s scam landscape is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The stakes are higher, the tactics more sophisticated, and the Sandwich Generation is squarely in the crosshairs.
McAfee’s recent State of the Scamiverse report paints a troubling picture of digital life in the UK. The statistics are staggering: 60% of Brits report either falling victim to an online scam or knowing someone who has. When these attacks succeed, the financial impact is severe—victims lose an average of £936, with some reporting devastating losses exceeding £7,980.
Perhaps most alarming is the speed at which these crimes unfold. A shocking 68% of victims said it took less than an hour to be defrauded, with 48% reporting that fraud occurred within just 30 minutes of engaging with a scammer. This isn’t the slow-burn con artistry of yesteryear—this is lightning-fast digital predation.
The financial losses, while significant, represent only part of the damage. The psychological impact cuts deeper than many realize. Our research shows that 32% of Brits who fell for online scams experienced moderate to significant distress, including anxiety, depression, and damaged self-esteem. For the Sandwich Generation, already stretched thin emotionally and financially, this psychological burden can be overwhelming.
Consider the compounding effects: 80% of scam victims reported that the experience impacted their self-esteem and ability to trust others. When you’re responsible for protecting not just yourself but also tech-savvy teenagers and digitally-vulnerable parents, this erosion of confidence can have far-reaching consequences for your entire family’s digital safety.
From a cybercriminal’s perspective, the Sandwich Generation represents the perfect storm of vulnerability. Here’s why you’re in their crosshairs:
Overwhelm and Distraction: Scam tactics are most effective when targets are tired, rushed, or mentally overloaded. The constant juggling act of work, children’s needs, and aging parents’ care creates exactly these conditions.
Multiple Attack Vectors: You’re not just protecting yourself—you’re managing the digital lives of three generations. Children who overshare on social media and parents who may trust too readily both create entry points for scammers.
The “Family Tech Lead” Burden: In most households, one person becomes the de facto IT support for everyone. If that’s you, you’re essentially protecting three generations of users with the cybersecurity knowledge and tools designed for one.
Time Poverty: When you’re constantly switching between helping with homework, managing medical appointments, and handling your own responsibilities, the careful scrutiny required to spot sophisticated scams becomes nearly impossible.
The repeat victimization rate is particularly concerning. Once scammers identify a successful target, they often share that information within criminal networks, leading to sustained harassment and repeated attempts.
Protecting Your Children (The Digital Natives)
Despite their technological fluency, young people face unique vulnerabilities:
Social Media Saturation: 28% of 18-24-year-olds receive scam messages via social media platforms. The integration of these platforms into daily life makes detection more challenging.
Gaming Community Exploitation: Scammers infiltrate gaming communities with fake giveaways, cryptocurrency cons, and phishing attempts disguised as game-related communications.
Celebrity Deepfake Scams: AI-generated celebrity endorsements for cryptocurrency schemes or investment opportunities are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect.
Overconfidence Bias: Young people often believe their digital nativity makes them immune to scams, leading to less cautious behavior online.
Protecting Your Parents (The Trusting Generation)
Older adults face different but equally serious threats:
Email-Based Attacks: 67% of over-55s encounter scams primarily through email, a medium they often trust more than social media.
Authority Impersonation: Tech support scams, fake government communications, and bank impersonation attempts exploit older adults’ respect for authority and institutions.
Voice Cloning Threats: 21% of Brits have encountered AI voice scams impersonating loved ones—a particularly dangerous development for older users who may be more trusting of familiar voices.
Isolation Exploitation: Scammers often target older adults during periods of loneliness or health concerns, when they’re more likely to engage with unexpected communications.
Mobile Device Security
Mobile scams have reached epidemic proportions in the UK, with 35% of Brits falling victim to SMS or call-based scams in the past year. The most common mobile threats include:
Package Delivery Scams (33%): “Your parcel couldn’t be delivered” texts that lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information or payment details.
Subscription Renewal Cons (23%): Messages claiming services like Netflix require payment information updates, leading to credential theft or unauthorized charges.
Social Engineering Openers (16%): Simple “Hey, how are you?” messages that gradually build trust before introducing investment or romance scams.
Computer and Email Security
Email remains the primary attack vector, with 32% of Brits falling victim to phishing attempts last year. The sophistication of these attacks has increased dramatically—while 78% of people believe they can spot scams, today’s emails often perfectly mimic legitimate communications.
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized scamming, with 21% of Brits encountering AI-generated scams. The challenge is significant: 53% of people admit that deepfakes are difficult to spot, and the technology improves daily.
Just as you have a fire escape plan, your family needs a comprehensive fraud response strategy. This should include:
Technology alone cannot solve this crisis. The most effective defense combines good security tools with open family communication and ongoing education. Regular conversations about online safety should be as normal as discussions about physical safety.
For Children: Focus on critical thinking skills rather than fear-based messaging. Teach them to question unexpected opportunities and verify information through multiple sources.
For Parents: Emphasize that asking for help with suspicious communications is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. Create an environment where they feel comfortable seeking guidance.
For Everyone: Establish family rules about financial communications—for example, agreeing that no family member will ever ask for money or personal information via text or email without prior verbal confirmation.
The scam landscape evolves constantly, driven by technological advancement and criminal innovation. As someone who has tracked these trends for two decades, I can tell you that the only constant is change. What worked last year may be ineffective today, and tomorrow will bring new challenges.
The key is building adaptable defenses: security awareness that can evolve with threats, technology solutions that update automatically, and family communication patterns that encourage ongoing vigilance without creating paranoia.
The Sandwich Generation faces unique challenges in today’s digital world, but you’re not powerless. By understanding the threat landscape, implementing appropriate security measures, and fostering open communication about online safety, you can protect your family’s financial security and emotional well-being.
Remember that in the UK today, encountering scam attempts isn’t rare—it’s daily. The goal isn’t to avoid all contact with potential threats but to recognize them quickly and respond appropriately. With the right preparation and tools, you can maintain your family’s digital confidence while staying one step ahead of the scammers.
Your role as the family’s digital guardian is challenging, but it’s also crucial. You’re not just protecting money—you’re protecting your family’s trust, confidence, and peace of mind in an increasingly connected world.
Stay vigilant, stay informed, and remember: when in doubt, pause, check, and verify. Your family’s digital safety depends on it.
The post How the Sandwich Generation Can Fight Back Against Scams appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Microsoft today released security updates to fix at least 67 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and software. Redmond warns that one of the flaws is already under active attack, and that software blueprints showing how to exploit a pervasive Windows bug patched this month are now public.
The sole zero-day flaw this month is CVE-2025-33053, a remote code execution flaw in the Windows implementation of WebDAV — an HTTP extension that lets users remotely manage files and directories on a server. While WebDAV isn’t enabled by default in Windows, its presence in legacy or specialized systems still makes it a relevant target, said Seth Hoyt, senior security engineer at Automox.
Adam Barnett, lead software engineer at Rapid7, said Microsoft’s advisory for CVE-2025-33053 does not mention that the Windows implementation of WebDAV is listed as deprecated since November 2023, which in practical terms means that the WebClient service no longer starts by default.
“The advisory also has attack complexity as low, which means that exploitation does not require preparation of the target environment in any way that is beyond the attacker’s control,” Barnett said. “Exploitation relies on the user clicking a malicious link. It’s not clear how an asset would be immediately vulnerable if the service isn’t running, but all versions of Windows receive a patch, including those released since the deprecation of WebClient, like Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2.”
Microsoft warns that an “elevation of privilege” vulnerability in the Windows Server Message Block (SMB) client (CVE-2025-33073) is likely to be exploited, given that proof-of-concept code for this bug is now public. CVE-2025-33073 has a CVSS risk score of 8.8 (out of 10), and exploitation of the flaw leads to the attacker gaining “SYSTEM” level control over a vulnerable PC.
“What makes this especially dangerous is that no further user interaction is required after the initial connection—something attackers can often trigger without the user realizing it,” said Alex Vovk, co-founder and CEO of Action1. “Given the high privilege level and ease of exploitation, this flaw poses a significant risk to Windows environments. The scope of affected systems is extensive, as SMB is a core Windows protocol used for file and printer sharing and inter-process communication.”
Beyond these highlights, 10 of the vulnerabilities fixed this month were rated “critical” by Microsoft, including eight remote code execution flaws.
Notably absent from this month’s patch batch is a fix for a newly discovered weakness in Windows Server 2025 that allows attackers to act with the privileges of any user in Active Directory. The bug, dubbed “BadSuccessor,” was publicly disclosed by researchers at Akamai on May 21, and several public proof-of-concepts are now available. Tenable’s Satnam Narang said organizations that have at least one Windows Server 2025 domain controller should review permissions for principals and limit those permissions as much as possible.
Adobe has released updates for Acrobat Reader and six other products addressing at least 259 vulnerabilities, most of them in an update for Experience Manager. Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome both recently released security updates that require a restart of the browser to take effect. The latest Chrome update fixes two zero-day exploits in the browser (CVE-2025-5419 and CVE-2025-4664).
For a detailed breakdown on the individual security updates released by Microsoft today, check out the Patch Tuesday roundup from the SANS Internet Storm Center. Action 1 has a breakdown of patches from Microsoft and a raft of other software vendors releasing fixes this month. As always, please back up your system and/or data before patching, and feel free to drop a note in the comments if you run into any problems applying these updates.
Summer vacation season is upon us, and millions of families are booking accommodations for their dream getaways. But with the surge in travel bookings comes an unfortunate reality: accommodation scams are on the rise, and they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated. As a cybersecurity professional, I’ve seen how devastating these scams can be—not just financially, but emotionally, when your family vacation turns into a nightmare.
The good news? With the right knowledge and proactive measures, you can protect yourself and your family from these predators. Even better, if you do fall victim to a scam, there are specific steps you can take to minimize the damage and potentially recover your losses.
Travel accommodation fraud has skyrocketed in recent years. Scammers have become expert at creating convincing fake listings on legitimate platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and even creating entirely fraudulent websites that mimic well-known hotel chains. They steal photos from real properties, craft compelling descriptions, and even create fake reviews to lure unsuspecting travelers.
What makes these scams particularly insidious is the emotional investment. You’re planning a special family vacation, perhaps saving for months, and the excitement of finding what seems like the “perfect” place clouds your judgment. Scammers exploit this vulnerability ruthlessly.
I can tell you that prevention is always your best defense. Here are the warning signs that should make you pause before clicking “book now”:
If you’ve fallen victim to an accommodation scam, time is critical. Here’s what you need to do immediately:
One of the most effective ways to protect your family from travel scams and other online threats is to implement comprehensive digital protection. Solutions like McAfee’s family protection plans offer multiple layers of security that work together to keep scammers at bay.
Modern family protection services provide several key features that directly combat travel scams:
Real-Time Scam Protection: Advanced scam detection technology automatically identifies and blocks fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and suspicious links before you interact with them. This means if you accidentally click on a fake booking site, the protection software will warn you before you enter any personal information.
Secure VPN for Travel Research: When researching accommodations on public Wi-Fi networks (like those in airports or coffee shops), a VPN encrypts your connection, preventing scammers from intercepting your personal information or redirecting you to fake websites.
Financial Transaction Monitoring: Comprehensive protection plans monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for unusual activity (US only), sending immediate alerts if suspicious transactions occur. This early warning system can help you catch fraudulent charges within hours rather than weeks.
Identity Monitoring and Dark Web Surveillance: These services continuously scan the dark web and other sources where stolen personal information is traded, alerting you if your data appears in places it shouldn’t. This is particularly valuable since accommodation scammers often sell stolen personal information to other criminals.
Personal Data Cleanup: Many protection services help identify and remove your personal information from data broker sites that scammers often use to research potential victims and make their approaches more convincing.
For families, comprehensive protection plans typically cover up to six family members, providing each person with their own monitoring and protection while giving parents oversight of their children’s online activities. With identity theft coverage up to $2 million per family and 24/7 restoration assistance, these services provide both prevention and recovery support.
Twenty years in cybersecurity has taught me that the cost of prevention is always less than the cost of recovery. Whether it’s taking time to properly research accommodations, investing in comprehensive family protection software, or educating your family about scam tactics, these upfront investments pay dividends in peace of mind and financial security.
Travel scams prey on our excitement and trust during what should be joyful family times. By staying vigilant, using proper protection tools, and knowing how to respond quickly if something goes wrong, you can ensure your family’s summer vacation memories are made for all the right reasons.
Remember: legitimate accommodation providers want to build trust and will readily provide verification. If anyone pressures you to skip verification steps or pay through unusual methods, walk away. Your family’s safety and financial security are worth more than any “deal” that seems too good to be true.
Safe travels, and remember—the best vacation is one where the only surprises are pleasant ones.
The post What to Do If You Book a Hotel or Airbnb and It Turns Out to Be a Scam appeared first on McAfee Blog.
At McAfee, we see the real faces behind the statistics. Our research shows, globally, people spend an average of 83 hours annually reviewing suspicious messages. We don’t just see numbers, we see the schoolteacher who was scammed out of Taylor Swift tickets, the new father who was duped by an IRS tax scam, and the life coach who was impacted by a SIM swap scam.
This is why we’re proud to announce that McAfee has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as a Foundation Member—because protecting people from scams isn’t just about technology. It’s about understanding the human cost of digital deception and working together to stop it.
Through our Scam Stories initiative and Keep It Real campaign, we’ve heard countless accounts from real people who’ve experienced the devastating impact of scams. Take Chris Carmack and Erin Slaver, who thought they were simply ordering custom patio cushions from what appeared to be a trustworthy small business. After paying through a special link, the cushions never arrived. Delays turned into excuses, messages went unanswered, and the seller’s account eventually disappeared along with their money.
What strikes us most about these stories isn’t just the financial loss—it’s the emotional aftermath. The embarrassment. The self-doubt. The way victims blame themselves for “falling for it,” when the reality is that today’s scams are sophisticated operations designed by professionals who exploit our trust and humanity.
We’re working to change that narrative. Being scammed isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s evidence of how advanced and manipulative these criminal enterprises have become. When we launched our Scam Stories campaign, we made a commitment: to end the stigma around being scammed and empower people to speak out, because silence is exactly what scammers count on.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance represents something powerful: a coordinated, international response to a global threat. Nearly $1.026 trillion was lost by consumers worldwide last year in scams, with 78% of participants experiencing at least one scam in the last 12 months. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a sophisticated ecosystem that spans borders, platforms, and industries.
At McAfee, we bring unique strengths to this alliance:
Cutting-Edge Protection: Our AI-powered Scam Detector, now included in all core McAfee plans, automatically identifies scams across text, email, and video, including deepfake detection. We’re not just reacting to scams, we’re anticipating them.
Real-World Insight: Through our comprehensive scam research and our direct connection with victims through Scam Stories, we understand how scams actually impact people’s lives. This isn’t theoretical—it’s deeply personal.
Global Reach: We protect millions of users worldwide, giving us visibility into emerging scam trends across different regions and demographics. We’ve seen how scammers adapt their tactics and how victims respond.
Educational Mission: Beyond technology, we’re committed to raising awareness. Our partnership with FightCybercrime.org includes donating $50,000 in protection products to scam victims and the professionals who support them.
Online scams have evolved far beyond the obvious emails of the past. Today’s scammers use AI to create convincing deepfakes, exploit trusted brands, and craft personalized attacks that fool cybersecurity experts. A McAfee Labs study shows that for just $5 and in 10 minutes, the price of a latte, a scammer can create a realistic-looking deepfake video or AI voice scams.
“Last year alone, people lost more than $1 trillion to scams. That is not just a cybersecurity issue. It is a trust issue,” said Dan Huynh, Vice President of Business Development at McAfee and board member of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). “We joined GASA because we believe collaboration amplifies impact. By uniting with others equally committed to stopping scams, we can drive greater change. It takes real coordination, shared insight, and urgency to protect people—and GASA is how we turn that commitment into action.”
This isn’t a problem that any one company, government, or organization can solve alone. It requires the kind of coordinated response that GASA represents, bringing together governments, consumer protection organizations, financial institutions, tech platforms, and cybersecurity leaders to share intelligence, shape policy, and deliver rapid, systemic action.
Joining GASA isn’t just about adding our name to a membership list. It’s about doubling down on our commitment to protect people, not just devices. In an always-online world. We’re bringing our advanced AI technology, our research insights, and our deep understanding of the human impact of scams to help build smarter, faster, more connected defenses.
We intend to work across borders and sectors to drive meaningful change. We intend to build tools that don’t just react but anticipate. And we intend to empower people with the clarity, context, and confidence they need to protect themselves in an increasingly complex digital world.
Most importantly, we’re committed to continuing our Scam Stories campaign, giving victims a voice, ending the shame that keeps people silent, and helping everyone understand that in today’s world, being scammed says nothing about your intelligence and everything about how sophisticated these criminal operations have become.
At McAfee, we’ve always believed that everyone should be able to live their lives online with confidence. By joining GASA, we’re taking that mission global—because when it comes to stopping scams, we’re all stronger together.
Learn more about McAfee’s scam protection at McAfee.com and share your story to help others stay safe at our Scam Stories page. Together, we can keep it real and keep each other safe.
The post Standing Together Against Scams: McAfee Joins the Global Anti-Scam Alliance appeared first on McAfee Blog.
German sportswear giant Adidas has confirmed a significant cybersecurity incident that compromised customer personal information through an attack on their customer service operations. The breach primarily exposed contact details of consumers who had previously interacted with Adidas’s help desk support system, though the company has assured customers that sensitive financial data including passwords, credit card numbers, and other payment information remained secure. While acknowledging the severity of the situation, Adidas emphasized their unwavering commitment to consumer privacy and security, expressing sincere regret for any anxiety or disruption the incident may have caused their customer base.
On May 27, 2025, German sportswear giant Adidas disclosed a significant data breach affecting their customer base. The breach didn’t originate from Adidas directly, but rather through a compromised third-party customer service provider—a scenario that’s becoming increasingly common in our interconnected business ecosystem.
According to Adidas’s official statement, an “unauthorized external party obtained certain consumer data through a third-party customer service provider.” The company immediately launched containment measures and began collaborating with leading information security experts to investigate the incident.
Fortunately, the stolen information reportedly did not include payment-related data or customer passwords. However, the attackers did gain access to customer contact information, which can still pose significant risks for affected individuals.
This breach highlights a critical vulnerability in modern business operations: supply chain security. Companies today rely on numerous third-party vendors for various services, from customer support to data processing. Each vendor represents a potential entry point for cybercriminals.
What makes these incidents particularly concerning is the trust relationship involved. When you provide information to Adidas, you’re not just trusting Adidas with your data. You’re implicitly trusting every company they work with. This creates an expanded attack surface that consumers often don’t consider.
From our experience investigating similar incidents, third-party breaches often go undetected longer than direct attacks because monitoring and security controls may be less stringent at vendor locations. This extended dwell time gives attackers more opportunities to exfiltrate data and potentially pivot to other systems.
While Adidas stated that payment information wasn’t compromised, the exposure of contact information creates several risks that consumers should understand:
Identity Theft Foundation Building: Contact information serves as a building block for identity theft. Criminals often combine data from multiple breaches to create comprehensive victim profiles.
Targeted Phishing Campaigns: With your name, email, and potentially phone number, scammers can craft highly convincing phishing messages that appear to come from Adidas or related services.
Social Engineering Attacks: Armed with your shopping preferences and contact details, attackers can impersonate customer service representatives to trick you into revealing additional sensitive information.
Secondary Account Compromise: If you use the same email for multiple accounts, this breach could be the first domino in a chain of compromises.
Here’s your immediate action plan:
1. Assume You’re Affected
Even if you haven’t received notification from Adidas yet, assume your information may have been compromised if you’ve been an Adidas customer. Companies often take weeks to identify all affected individuals.
2. Change Your Passwords Immediately
Start with your Adidas account, then move to any accounts that share the same password. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. This is non-negotiable. In 2025, password reuse is one of the fastest ways to turn a single breach into multiple compromised accounts.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication Everywhere
If you haven’t already, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that support it, starting with email, banking, and shopping accounts. This adds a crucial second layer of security.
4. Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Check bank statements, credit card bills, and investment accounts for any unusual activity. Set up account alerts if you haven’t already—many financial institutions offer real-time transaction notifications.
5. Review Your Credit Reports
You’re entitled to free credit reports from all three major bureaus annually. Consider spacing them out throughout the year for ongoing monitoring, or use a service that provides more frequent updates.
Implement a Defense-in-Depth Approach
No single security measure is perfect. Layer your defenses by combining strong passwords, 2FA, regular monitoring, and comprehensive security software.
Consider Credit Freezing
A security freeze prevents criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free, reversible, and one of the most effective identity theft prevention tools available.
Stay Informed About Breach Trends
Bookmark the McAfee Blog and other and breach notification services. The faster you know about incidents affecting services you use, the quicker you can respond.
How McAfee+ Can Help Protect You
McAfee+ offers several features specifically designed to help individuals navigate the aftermath of data breaches:
Dark Web Monitoring
McAfee’s service monitors the dark web for your personal info, including email, government IDs, credit card and bank account info, and more. This can help keep your personal info safe with early alerts that show you if your data is found on the dark web, an average of 10 months ahead of similar services.
This is crucial because stolen data from breaches like Adidas often ends up for sale on dark web marketplaces. Early detection can help you take protective action before criminals have a chance to use your information.
Personal Data Cleanup
McAfee’s personal data cleanup service can scan some of the riskiest data broker sites and show you which ones are selling your personal info. It also provides guidance on how you can remove your data from those sites and, with select products, even manage the removal for you.
Data brokers collect and sell personal information to anyone willing to pay, including scammers and identity thieves. Reducing your exposure through these services limits the information available to criminals who might try to combine it with data from the Adidas breach.
Identity Monitoring and Restoration
McAfee’s Advanced plan provides identity monitoring, data removal, identity restoration, and identity theft insurance. Their monitoring covers up to 60 unique types of personal information and includes up to $2 million in identity theft coverage with professional recovery specialists.
AI-Powered Scam Protection
McAfee’s scam detector will alert you to suspicious text messages and emails that you receive. This is particularly valuable in the aftermath of a breach when criminals often launch targeted phishing campaigns using stolen contact information.
Comprehensive Financial Monitoring
Financial protection Services include transaction monitoring; financial account and payday loan monitoring; bank account takeover monitoring; safe cards. This helps detect unauthorized use of your financial accounts, which could occur if criminals combine information from multiple breaches.
The Adidas breach won’t be the last of its kind. As our digital ecosystem becomes more interconnected, these incidents will likely become more frequent. The key is building personal and organizational resilience through proactive security measures rather than reactive responses.
For consumers, this means adopting a security-first mindset in all digital interactions. Assume breaches will happen, prepare accordingly, and maintain tools and services that can help you detect and respond to threats quickly.
Act quickly: Don’t wait for official notification from Adidas. If you’re a customer, take protective action now.
Invest in comprehensive protection: Services like McAfee+ provide multiple layers of protection that work together to address different aspects of the post-breach threat landscape.
Stay vigilant: Monitor your accounts regularly and be skeptical of unsolicited communications, especially those claiming to be from Adidas or related to this incident.
Learn and adapt: Use this incident as motivation to improve your overall cybersecurity posture. Review your digital habits and make necessary improvements.
Remember, in cybersecurity, there’s no such thing as perfect protection—only degrees of risk reduction. The goal is to make yourself a harder target while maintaining the tools and knowledge necessary to respond quickly when incidents occur.
The Adidas breach serves as another reminder that in our interconnected world, your security is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain. By taking proactive steps and leveraging comprehensive protection services, you can significantly reduce your risk and impact from these increasingly common incidents.
The post Adidas Data Breach: What Consumers Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself appeared first on McAfee Blog.
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